AN OPEN day at 17th century gardens in Chirk has left organisers feeling optimistic about future work on the site.

More than 90 people attended the open day for Whitehurst Gardens, hosted by its friends group.

The group hopes to renovate the rundown plot of land in the future and hosted the open day in part to raise awareness about the current state of the gardens and to generate more support for their renovation project.

The open day, held at one of the plot’s original summer houses built in 1651, attracted people from Chirk, Ruthin, Chester and even as far as Lancaster.

It received positive feedback, from people including couple Glyn and Janet Conway.

They said: “It was an excellent day with very pleasant volunteers.”

Ian and Kath Comerford added: “[The garden] is absolutely beautiful. There was a very warm welcome.

“We would love to see the greenhouse restored.”

The good response to the open day was music to the ears of the organisers.

A spokesman for the group said: “The open day had a very good level of interest. We were helped by the fact the weather stayed good for the whole day as opposed to previous years when it has rained.

“The aim of the day was to raise awareness for the garden and the condition it is currently in.

“We handed out questionnaires asking if people would like to see the gardens restored, and 100 per cent of people who answered the question said yes.

“We would like to say thanks to everyone who came along and to those who donated some fantastic raffle prizes.”